Investigation of heavy metal accumulation in Typha latifolia exposed to mine drainage waters

In this study, the accumulation of some heavy metals in water, sediment, and Typha latifolia plant species was investigated in a previously operated mining area located in the Hozat region of Tunceli. In the first phase of the study, water and soil samples were collected from sites where T. latifolia was dominant. The metal uptake capacities from soil to roots, stems, and leaves of the plants were examined for different metals as silver (Ag), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn). Water, sediment, and plant samples collected from the field were analyzed for the above elements at ultra-low detection limits using ICP-MS at ACME Analytical Laboratories in Canada. Bioconcentration factors (BCF-R, BCF-S, BCF-L, respectively) for the root, stem, leaf, and translocation factor (TF) values were calculated. The highest TF value was found to be 0.85 for Sr. The highest bioconcentration factors in the root, stem, and leaves of the plant were also found to be 3.67, 1.55, and 1.79 for Sr, respectively. According to the results obtained, T. latifolia was found to be a suitable plant for the bioaccumulation of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Sr under the existing environmental conditions, but not a suitable bioaccumulator for Ag, Ba, Ni, and Zn. Based on the results, it was determined that some heavy metal pollutants can be remediated using certain plants, and that these plants can function as bioaccumulators for these metals.